"My colleagues, this morning we were a part of history and we are this evening as well. A particularly poignant moment occurred when Chairman Dingell took the chair to preside over the debate at the beginning of the day for health care. When he was a young man, as a Member of Congress, he gaveled Medicare into law. It had been, as one of our colleagues said in his DNA: the pursuit of health care for all Americans. His father introduced the bill over and over again, when he was in Congress, and as his successor, he continues that great legacy. Today, he will see a lifelong dream of generations in his family come true as we begin the process of making this a reality.

"It is impossible to talk about health care reform in America without talking about Senator Edward Kennedy. His leadership and his contribution to this debate is boundless. Health insurance reform was the cause of his life. He called it 'the great unfinished business of our society.' Of this issue, he said that what is at stake 'is the character of our country.'

"Remember when the President came to address the joint session? He quoted the comments by Senator Kennedy from a letter that the Senator had sent to him. But the Senator also said in the letter that was sent to President Obama before he died: 'I entered public life with a young President who inspired a generation and the world. It gives me great hope that as I leave, another young President inspires another generation and once more on America's behalf inspires the entire world.' He acknowledged President Obama's both 'unwavering commitment and understanding that health care is the decisive issue for our future prosperity.'

"President Obama's leadership gives our nation hope. Today, with this legislation, we will give them health. President Obama has said: 'We will measure our success by the progress that is made by America's working families.'

"Today, with passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, we will make history; we will also make progress for the America's working families. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation."

SOURCE Office of the Speaker of the House